ISIL’s Intangible Influences and Resolve
ISIL Influence and Resolve. Author | Editor: Astorino-Coutois, A. & Canna, S. (NSI, Inc). During FY 2014, the SOCCENT Commander requested a short-term effort to understand the psychological, ideological, narrative, emotional, cultural, and inspirational (“intangible”) nature of ISIL. As shown below, the SMA1 team really addressed two related questions: “What makes ISIL attractive?” or how […]
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Conflict and Convergence in the Asia-Pacific Region
Drivers of Conflict and Convergence in the Asia-Pacific Region in the Next 5-25 Years. Author | Editor: Bragg, B. (NSI, Inc). USPACOM requested that the Strategic Multi-layer Assessment (SMA) team conduct an “Examination of future political, security, societal, and economic trends to identify where US interests are in cooperation or conflict with Chinese and other […]
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Operating in the Human Domain 1.0
Operating in the Human Domain 1.0. Author | Editor: U.S. Special Operations Command. Building on the vision of USSOCOM strategic guidance documents, the Operating in the Human Domain (OHD) Concept describes the mindset and approaches that are necessary to achieve strategic ends and create enduring effects in the current and future environment. The Human Domain […]
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Israeli-Palestinian Security Conundrum Assessment
A Geopolitical and Cognitive Assessment of the Israeli-Palestinian Security Conundrum. Author | Editor: Wilkenfeld, J. (). At the request of the U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (USSC) the J-39 Strategic-Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Branch undertook a Coordinator’s Mission Review in July 2014 and concluded it in February 2015. This SMA project resulted […]
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Impact of NRC Strategic Deterrence Study
The most recent news on the impact of the National Academy of Sciences’ Deterrence study co-chaired by Dr. Allison Astorino-Courtois. The excerpt below is from the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Report on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016. The HASC has used the National Academy of Sciences’ Deterrence study report […]
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Science of Decision Making Across Human Activity
The Science of Decision Making Across the Span of Human Activity. Author | Editor: Wright, N. (University of Birmingham & Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) & Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). The US is affected by the decisions of highly diverse actors, ranging from individuals, to groups (e.g. Violent Extremist Organizations; VEOs) to large and sophisticated […]
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Dignity is the Key Metric for Customer Service
Why Dignity is the Key to Customer Service. By Tom Rieger. Taking another look at what it means to treat customers with dignity and how it benefits your business. For the last several decades customer service has cycled through an evolution of different metrics, all focused on measuring if the customer is happy. It started […]
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Megacities: Socio-cultural Analysis Dhaka, Bangladesh
SMA Megacities: Deep Dive Application of two socio-cultural frameworks to a flood event in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Author | Editor: Bragg, B,, Brickman, D., Canna, S. & Desjardins, A. (NSI, Inc). The Strategic-Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Megacity Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intelligence (M- RSI) project seeks to aid United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) in understanding socio-cultural dynamics within […]
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Holistic Engagement Activities Ranking Tool (HEART)
Holistic Engagement Activities Ranking Tool (HEART) — A Multi-criteria decision tool to assist in planning and tracking steady state security assistance and engagement activities. Author | Editor: Astorino-Courtois, A. (NSI, Inc). More than ever, United States Government (USG) activities are planned and implemented in an atmosphere of shrinking budgets, high expectations and intense scrutiny at […]
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Stability Modeling (StaM) Analysis of Nigeria
Stability Model Users’ Guide: Incorporating StaM Analysis of Nigeria for Illustration. Author | Editor: Bragg, B., Brickman, D., Desjardins, A., Popp, G. & Pagano, S. (NSI, Inc). Over the past decade the United States Government has recognized the importance of obtaining a rich contextual understanding of the operating environment, specifically focusing on the human terrain […]
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